ALA DI STURA Pian Belfé - Punta Karfen - Alpe Lungimala

The route covers significant inclines and high-altitude terrain that will thrill riders with excellent riding technique and E-MTB or Trail/Enduro biamped MTB. The tour kicks off from Ala di Stura's central square, performs a very short warm-up on the descent heading to the bottom of the village, in Ponte d'Ala, to touch down at the starting base of Ala di Stura's historic chairlift. From here the ratios and the music begin to change.

The ascent to Pian Belfé and Punta Karfen.

From the base of the chairlift, we take the inter-modal track up the mountainside, not before skirting the Stura di Ala and taking a few photo ops.

Pian Belfé (about 1,350 m): The climb into the forest is steady, but it is only a prelude to the next part. As the trees thin out you reach the pastures of Pian Belfé (chairlift arrival station).

Punta Karfen (1,940 m) - RECOMMENDED FOR EXPERIENCED PEDALATORS: Continuing up the service dirt road and the high altitude meadows, you reach the very panoramic ridge of Punta Karfen. Fatigue here disappears: your gaze literally plunges over the entire Val d'Ala, dominated by the majestic walls of Uja di Ciamarella and Bessanese in the background.

The Descent: Alpe di Lungimala Variant and the Brady Horses.

Donning the protective gear, the descent begins. The trail detours to take the spectacular variant that touches Lungimala Alp.

The peculiarity: This is an iconic place. The aerial pastures of the alpine meadow are historically home to wonderful herds of horses living in the wild during the summer and fall seasons. Pedaling carefully and respectfully among these beautiful animals, surrounded by the silence of the mountains, makes for a magical route.

The Technical Single Track and the Return.

From Alpe di Lungimala, the trail changes character and becomes a technical single track of high alpine school.

You face rock passages, tight turns (hairpin bends) and sections where line choice is key.

The guided trail again crosses the area of Pian Belfé (Alpe Belfé) and then dives into the last and exhilarating section in the forest that leads with pinpoint accuracy back to the base of the chairlift departure, from which you briefly ascend to the village square.